BREAKING. Jon Kyl Will Succeed John McCain

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., right, enjoys a laugh with Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., left, and Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., during a news conference about a plan to protect the military from budget cuts, on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011. McCain has drawn the ire of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin after the senator goaded Putin in a Twitter post about mass protests in Russia over alleged vote fraud. Putin lashed back at McCain saying, “He has a lot of blood of peaceful civilians on his hands,” referring to McCain’s role as a combat pilot and prisoner of war in Vietnam. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Jon Kyl, once one of the most powerful Republicans in the U.S. Senate, will return to Capitol Hill to succeed the late Sen. John McCain, The Arizona Republic has learned.

Gov. Doug Ducey is scheduled to unveil the 76-year-old as McCain’s successor at a 10 a.m. news conference at the Arizona Capitol, after notifying McCain’s wife, Cindy, and other key political figures of his decision.